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Back to Understanding Plants - Part I: What a Plant Knows

Learner Reviews & Feedback for Understanding Plants - Part I: What a Plant Knows by Tel Aviv University

4.8
stars
1,919 ratings

About the Course

For centuries we have collectively marveled at plant diversity and form—from Charles Darwin’s early fascination with stems and flowers to Seymour Krelborn’s distorted doting in Little Shop of Horrors. This course intends to present an intriguing and scientifically valid look at how plants themselves experience the world—from the colors they see to the sensations they feel. Highlighting the latest research in genetics and more, we will delve into the inner lives of plants and draw parallels with the human senses to reveal that we have much more in common with sunflowers and oak trees than we may realize. We’ll learn how plants know up from down, how they know when a neighbor has been infested by a group of hungry beetles, and whether they appreciate the music you’ve been playing for them or if they’re just deaf to the sounds around them. We’ll explore definitions of memory and consciousness as they relate to plants in asking whether we can say that plants might even be aware of their surroundings. This highly interdisciplinary course meshes historical studies with cutting edge modern research and will be relevant to all humans who seek their place in nature. This class has three main goals: 1. To introduce you to basic plant biology by exploring plant senses (sight, smell, hearing, touch, taste, balance). 2. To introduce you to biological research and the scientific method. 3. To get the student to question life in general and what defines us as humans. Once you've taken this course, if you are interested in a more in-depth study of plants, check out my follow-up course, Fundamentals of Plant Biology (https://www.coursera.org/learn/plant-biology/home/welcome). In order to receive academic credit for this course you must successfully pass the academic exam on campus. For information on how to register for the academic exam – https://tauonline.tau.ac.il/registration Additionally, you can apply to certain degrees using the grades you received on the courses. Read more on this here – https://go.tau.ac.il/b.a/mooc-acceptance Teachers interested in teaching this course in their class rooms are invited to explore our Academic High school program here – https://tauonline.tau.ac.il/online-highschool...

Top reviews

MR

Sep 30, 2016

So far, I'm really enjoying this course. I like the look of it, the professor is engaging and as a layperson I find the content very, very interesting. What a wonderful take on plant biology!

LD

Sep 17, 2019

I started this course with very little knowledge of biology and finished it with a solid foundation in plant biology. I'd recommend it to anybody wanting to learn more about plants.

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301 - 325 of 547 Reviews for Understanding Plants - Part I: What a Plant Knows

By Ehouman E

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Oct 20, 2020

Was a very good experience to learn Biology From Tel Avis University.

Thank you!

By Athira s

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Jul 23, 2020

I am very thankful.i gained more information about what a plant knows.its good.

By FATIMA A N A M

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Mar 19, 2018

one of the most interesting and teasing course i have ever studied about plants

By PATRICIA R P

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Oct 10, 2025

I enjoy learning about plants. I hope I will be able to take care them better

By Naguibe R

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Jun 23, 2020

Estoy feliz de haber sido parte de este aprendizaje.

GRACIAS,

Excelente curso,

By adriana d

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Oct 24, 2017

very interesting course! the explanations are very clear and easy to follow.

By Joseph G O A

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Sep 26, 2020

Very Great Explanation. Exams are hard and will need dedication in studying

By Lindsey

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Nov 6, 2019

I will never look at plants the same way again. Really enjoyed this course.

By Liliana R G L

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May 23, 2020

The course was excellent, very motivating and brought several curiosities!

By Aiden c

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Dec 24, 2017

Amazing course, definitely recommend to anyone interested in plant biology

By SEPTSAULT

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Dec 17, 2020

Very interesting, thank you for making science so fun and easy to learn !

By Anaïs P

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Dec 15, 2019

Thank you for this class. I'm so happy and glad to have be a part of it.

By Thomas H

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Oct 21, 2024

The Professor was a joy to watch and clearly presented the information.

By Pawel K

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Apr 11, 2022

Always nice to have a great, enthusiastic teacher that knows his stuff.

By Astrid M

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Mar 4, 2021

Great explanations, a very good into to the topic! Great professor too!

By Zainab A Q

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Jul 3, 2017

a real good course, and indeed the best teacher I have seen on Coursera

By Sofiia M

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Mar 18, 2021

Very interesting and informative, I‘m in love with plant biology now!

By Meaghan C

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Dec 27, 2020

Great class! Brought my understanding of plants and human biology up.

By Itzelita P

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Oct 21, 2017

Excelente curso para introducirte en el funcionamiento de las plantas

By Marcos P O

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Dec 29, 2016

For me, I still think is the most beautiful MOOC of all I have done.

By VK L C

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Aug 17, 2024

This course is basic for those who want to to learning about plants

By Md. M R

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Jul 12, 2020

A happy teacher makes happy students. great course, great teacher.

By Ooha M

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Jan 29, 2018

Loved it! Gonna do the 2nd part too. Prof Chamovitz is amazing! <3

By Karina F

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Jun 30, 2020

Thank you, Professor Daniel Chamovitz this was an awesome course.

By Nathan

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May 3, 2020

Loved it, learned a lot of interesting things about plant biology